Signal operated control means for keyboard and like machines



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SIGNAL OPERATED CONTRGL MEANS FOR KEYBOARD AND LIKE MACHINES Filed Aug.26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 14, 1965 G. DIRKs 3,223,979

SIGNAL OPERATED CONTROL MEANS FOR KEYBOARD AND LIKE MACHINES Filed Aug.26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 I 1 65,1- If@ @3L-I III@ 63; MMIII/64B V II II6g) IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGI'GII IIIIIIIIIaIs/M L (UIIIIIIlL/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIlz/IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII '65 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I|65/ I I I I I I I I Hf; I I I I I I Dec. 14, 1965 G. DIRKS 3,223,979

SIGNAL OPERATED CONTROL MEANS FOR KEYBOARD AND LIKE MACHINES Filed Aug.26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet L -f- T0 COU NTING STHGE 27 84 Momos'rna 94 o"F/G. 5.

SENSING DEVICE 9 TBPE H Mnuerlc.

CLUTcH pUL SE GENERBTOR STOP TAPE

MovEMEuT STHRT TRPE MDVEMI'NT oELHy Ence United States Patent OiilicePatented Dec. 14, 1965 3,223,979 SIGNAL OPERATED CONTROL MEANS FOR KEY-BARD AND LIKE MACHINES Gerhard Dirks, 44 Morfelder Landstrasse,Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed Allg. 26, 1957, Ser. No. 680,207 Claimspriority, application Great Britain, Aug. 24, 1956, 25,885/ 56 12Claims. (Cl. 340-1725) The present invention relates to a control meansfor the actuation of selectively-operable machines such as keyboard andthe like machines. A control means of this type would be operativebetween an input means for signals, such as a punched tape, punchedcards, magnetic tape or other magnetic records, and aselectivelyoperable assembly such as might normally be operated from akeyboard, the components of which assembly are to be selected andoperated in dependence on the signals sensed at said input means.

An important use of the invention is in the operation of aline-composing machine, for example, from a punched tape.

It is one object of the invention to provide an improved form ofcontrollable delay means for effecting or not effecting, as desired, adelay between two successive sensings of input signals. In aline-composing machine, for example, as is well known, a delay might berequired for any of the following reasons, among others:

(a) The machine requires a longer time to operate when succeeding signalcombinations are identical than when they are not identical;

(b) If a line has to be justified, time is required for this before thesetting of the next line begins;

(c) In cases where there are several magazines, having different typefaces, time is required to make a selection when another type face is tobe used; and

(d) Time is required, in differing amounts, to operate the elevator atthe ending of a line and to prepare the machine for a new line.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electricalmeans for effecting this delay.

It is a further object of the invention to provide in some cases anelectrical means whereby the length of the delay is preselected andoperates without reference to the state of the machine at the time.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide in other casesan electrical means whereby the length of the delay is dependent on thetime taken by the machine to complete the function then in progress.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved means forselecting from an assembly of operating elements, the particular elementto be operative at the time, by having these elements disposed in acrosswise arrangement and by making the selection from two directions independence on two components or symbols by which that particular elementis represented.

The preceding object may be further developed in that each such elementis represented by a number of two or more denominations, and in `that aselection in one direction is dependent on one or some of thosedenominations while the selection in the other direction is dependent onthe remaining denomination or denominations.

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, windings ormagnet coils in a crosswise arrangement, for example, of vertical andhorizontal rows, or of radial and circumferential rows, are selected bycounting a predetermined value of signals corresponding to theselection, the count being in at least two denominations, one or some ofwhich selects the row in one direction (eg,

vertical) and the other of which selects the row in the other direction(e.g., horizontal). The counting may be accomplished by a pair ofcounting tubes or of counting chains, one for each of two denominations,one for each said direction, with a carry-over from one tube or chain tothe other.

With combination signals each combination is regarded as a binarynumber, and for each signal in a combination which is sensed acorresponding value is counted, the respective values being totalized inthe counter to provide a decimal number representative of thecombination.

ln accordance with another feature of the present invention, the saidcounting and the energizing of the correspondingly selected windings arecarried out in successive sensing periods and a comparing means isprovided whereby the sensing of the same combination in two succeedingrows gives rise to a delay period between the successive energizing ofthe windings, whereas the sensing of two succeeding combinations whichdiffer gives rise to no delay.

ln order that the present invention may be readily carried into effect,it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. l is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a control circuitbetween a punched tape sensing means and a contact assembly having itscontacts in a crosswise arrangement of horizontal and vertical rows,these contacts controlling the means (not shown) which are to beselectively operated;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a selection circuitutilizing discharge tubes for the selection of contacts in theembodiment of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a timing diagram illustrating the sequence of sensed signalsin the embodiment of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an alternative arrangement of storedcounting signals for use as hereinafter described; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a modification of the control circuitof FIG. l, in which a comparison and delay circuit are utilized.

FIG. l illustrates the sensing of a punched tape for operation of anassembly of one hundred contacts. The assembly may be in an adaptorplaced over the keyboard of, for example, a line-composing machine tooperate corresponding keys, or placed under the keyboard for a similarpurpose, or it may replace a normal keyboard.

The apparatus comprises a motor 1 driving a shaft 2, which shaft iscoupled with a gear 4 through a magnetic clutch 3 which is controlled bythe electronic discharge arrangement 40 as hereinafter described. Thegear 4 effects a stepwise drive operating the gear 5 on axis 6 and thegear 7 on the axis of a shaft 8.

The sensing station 9 with sensing means 1014 (for example, in the formof pins or sensing brushes) is arranged above the tape 11. The tape 11is provided with signals in transverse rows and has seven longitudinalcode channels for combination signals in a seven code combination insaid transverse rows. The tape 1l has transport holes 12 in which thetransport wheel 13, driven by gear 7, engages, to advance said tapestepwisely. In the code channels are perforated holes 14, within therespective transverse rows, and the possible number of code combinationsis sufficient at least for keys from which the selections are to bemade.

A wheel 15 has pulse generating means 161n arranged around itscircumference. The circumference of the wheel 15 may be of non-magneticmaterial into which slots are cut to receive and hold small permanentmagnets arranged around the circumference, so that these magnets may besensed successively by a sensing head 17 during the relative movementbetween said circumference and said sensing head.

The signals sensed by head 17 generate pulses on the lead 18 which arefed to monostable ilip-op 19. This, in consequence delivers pulses tothe seven stage counting chain 20 having stages 2117. The chain 20 maybe a ip-op chain of known type. It may, however, be of other types, suchas, for example, cold cathode tubes, or magnetic core chains, or ofsimilar type. To each such stages 2117 is connected the respectivesensing means 101'7 of the different code channels, the connection beingthrough leads which include capacitors 221"7.

Pulses delivered from the monostable flip-op 19 enter the counting chainat the lowest stage 217. Within the same time period in which the ip-opof counting stage 217 is switched over 64 times, stage 216 will beswitched over 32 times, stage 215 will be switched over 16 times and soon. Finally, stage 211 will have only one changeover during such timeperiod.

The function of the counter 20 is to generate trains of pulses forapplication to the sensing elements 101'7 in such a way that a number ofpulses appear on line 25a equal to the binary value ofthe particularcode combination which is being sensed by the sensing elements. Theratio of the gearing between the shafts 6 and 8 and the positioning ofthe pulse generator elements 161*n is such that one hundred andtwentyeight pulses occur in lead 18 during the time when one transverserow of perforations in the tape 11 is beneath the sensing elements 1017.The monostable tiip-tiop 19 merely reshapes these pulses for applicationto the counter 20. The capacity of the counter 20 is one hundred andtwenty-eight, since it has seven binary stages in cascade. The countertherefore goes through one complete cycle of operation for each codecombination which is sensed by the sensing elements 101-7.

The stage 217 of the counter 20 will be switched on sixty-four timesduring the cycle of operation and will produce a corresponding number ofoutput pulses which are fed Via capacitor 227 to sensing element 107. Ifthere is a perforation in the position sensed by the sensing element107, this element completes a circuit to the line 25a. This allows thesixty-four pulses produced by the counter stage 217 to be fed via thesensing element 107, line 25a and capacitor 25 to the input ofmono-stable hip-flop 26. Conversely, if there is no perforation in thisposition, the tape 11 insulates the sensing element 107 from the line25a and no pulses pass from the counter stage 217 to the ip-op 26.

The stage 216 applies thirty-two pulses to sensing element G, the stage21El applies sixteen pulses to sensing element 105, and so on. Thesepulses are passed or not to the line 25a in accordance with whether ornot a perforation is being sensed by the corresponding sensing element.In this way, the line 25a receives, during the sensing of one codecombination from the tape, a number of pulses equal to the value of thatcode combination, where the positions sensed by the elements 101- 1021103, etc., are given the values l, 2, 4, etc.

The inherent switching time of the stages of the counter causes theoutput pulses from the different stages to be relatively staggered intime (see FIG. 3). Thus, although a single pulse from the Hip-flop 19may produce output pulses from several stages of the counter 20, suchoutput pulses are not simultaneous and may be combined on the line awithout mutual interaction.

The monostable flip-flop 26 operates the gas discharge tube countingdevice 27 (which may be a Dekatron) in such a way that each input pulsewill move the glow discharge from one stage to the next. If for instancethere is a hole in the lower (first) code channel and in the third codechannel, the counting tube 27 would receive within the time of thesensing cycle for one transverse row, five pulses, that is, the sum of 1plus 4 pulses. The counting tube 27 is operated in a known way so that aswitching over from one cathode to the next takes place if a pulse isreceived from the monostable flip-op 26. The glow discharge between theanode and one of the cathodes therefore switches from cathode to cathodein dependence on the delivery of the pulses.

From the last stage of the counting tube 27 there is a connection to thecarry-over monostable flip-flop 30 connecting the counter 27 withanother counter 31. It is evident that instead of Dekatron tubes othercounters may be employed, such as discharge tubes of certain typesconnected in an arrangement such as is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.

The carry-over device 30 receives a pulse at each tenth pulse deliveredto counting tube 27, as only the last stage of tube 27 is connected withsaid carry-over device. The carry pulses operate the countingarrangement 31, which comprises a further multi-cathode gas dischargecounting tube. The circuit of each cathode of counter 31 includes one ofthe relay coils 34lvn operating the respective relay contacts orswitches 35i-11 in such a way that each contact is closed when thecorresponding cathode of the counter is conductive, all other cathodesthen being nonconductive and all other contacts 35 being open.

The switches 35H* may complete switching circuits through the horizontalrows 37H of the key magnet coils or winding 391m in the solenoid matrixor keyboard assembly 36 which, as hereinbefore explained, may be akeyboard, keyboard adaptor or otherwise. In the horizontal rows 371-1there are arranged windings in such a way that each magnet has onewinding 39111 connected through the respective switch 351"n to thecommon positive polarity terminal, and another winding controlled fromcounting tube 27, the ten stages of which have respective outputsleading in parallel to the vertical rows 38H0. The double windingsprovide a crosswise control of the keyboard magnets. Each of the magnetsis operable by the closing of a switch 35 in the respective horizontalrow and the ignition of a discharge stage of counting tube 27 in avertical row. Therefore, only one of the magnet coils 39H will beenergized at any one time, in dependence on the coincident excitation ofthe two counting arrangements 27 and 31. In FIG. l, the switch 35 isshown in the closed position. The connections may be made throughamplifier triodes or the like, in dependence on which type of countingtubes 27 and 31 are used. The tubes 27 and 31 therefore represent atwo-denomination number of which the units symbolize a vertical inputinto the assembly and the tens symbolize a horizontal input into theassembly.

The magnetic clutch 3 is under the control of the start and stoparrangement indicated generally at 40 (FIG. 1). This start and stoparrangement comprises the discharge tubes 41 and 42. Discharge tube 41is ignited by a start signal delivered to its grid through capacitor 43,from, for example, the input lead 49 marked Start in FIG. 1 or throughthe switch 48 in the closed position. The discharge tube 42 is ignitedby a stop signal delivered to its grid through capacitor 44 from theinput lead 50 marked Stop in FIG. 1. In the circuit of discharge tube 41is the cathode resistor 47 connected with the magnet coil within themagnetic clutch arrangement 3, so that this clutch is operative toengage the drive when energized by the igniting of discharge tube 41under the control of a start signal.

The stepwise drive or transport wheel 13 will move tape 11 stepwiselybelow the sensing means 101-7 until in any particular transverse rowsignals are sensed for effecting a stoppage of said tape. This stoppageis brought about because within the coil arrangement 391-m of thekeyboard assembly 36 there is arranged a relay coil instead of a. directcontrol coil for a key magnet, whereby the corresponding key is notdirectly energized but, first, there is energized the said relay whichhas a contact to energize said key magnet coil, to operate that key, andwhich also has a contact delivering current to the input lead 50.

This effects the delivery of a pulse through capacitor 44 to discharge42, which ignites discharge tube 42 with the consequent extinguishing ofdischarge tube 41 because positive polarity terminal 46 has a higherpotential than the anode of discharge tube 41. Discharge tube 42 willextinguish itself after discharging capacitor 45.

Such a stop signal is delivered from the keyboard for all those pulsecombinations in which the usual stepwise tape transport from onetransverse row to the next is to be interrupted to provide a necessarydelay before the actuation of the next key. Some of these key operationswill release certain functions which require a delay of for instanceone, two, tive, ten or up to twenty normal stepping times of the tapefeed. These delays are under the control of a delay arrangement showngenerally at 56 and comprising capacitor 57, discharge tube 55, and theresistor 54 which has a plurality of tapping points. The relay device 56is used in all those cases in which there is to be an automaticswitching in of the stepwise feed after a predetermined delay period.

If there is a device which has no automatic switching in afterpredetermined delay periods, but in which another switch is to beoperative, such switch will deliver a pulse after the interveningoperation has taken place, the pulse going to capacitor 43 at the startinput lead 49. Thereupon, the tape feed and the sensing of thecombination signals recommences and continues as hereinbefore described.

The start pulse could, for example, be delivered by the operation of theelevator of a line-composing machine. The movement of the elevator maybe started by the closing of a co-ntact at the respective selected relaycoil in the field of magnetic coils 391-111, operating the respectivekey of the keyboard, and the tape feed be stopped at the same time bythe delivering of a pulse from this relay contact to the stop lead 50.Upon the arrival of the said elevator at its upper position, a signal isdelivered to the start lead 49 and the mechanism starts anew.

But at other parts of such a machine there may be time periods requiredfor other operations. These are effected by closing contact 52 whichmakes connection with one or other of the tapping points of resistor 54by selector switch 53. Therefore, the current from the positive polarityterminal passes through closed switch 52 and the respective tappingpoint of the resistor 54 to the capacitor 57, which is charged at a ratedepending upon the position of switch 53, to measure a time periodsucient to ignite discharge tube 55 at the desired instant. The tube 55is prebiassed to a predetermined extent so that capacitor 51 receives apulse when the voltage on capacitor 57 has risen suiciently to ignitetube 55. The pulse reaching capacitor 51 may be led through the closedcontact 48 to the capacitor 43 to ignite discharge tube 41 thereby tostart the tape feed and the sensing anew. Switch 48 must remain closedin order to provide a continuousoperating device.

FIG. 2 illustrates the selecting device for the different relay coils inthe crosswise arrangement 391-111. Two sets of discharge tubes 581- and591-10 are used. These may be either discharge tubes connected in acounting chain according to the counting stages of the arrangements 27and 31, or they may be controlled by said counting stages respectively.The ignition of discharge tubes 581-10 takes place by a pulse to controlgrids 601-10 of said last-mentioned tubes whereas the ignition of anyone of the discharge tubes 591-10 takes place by delivering a pulse tothe control grids 631-10 of said last-mentioned tubes. These sets ofdischarge tubes are negatively prebiassed by a second control grid. Theupper set of discharge tubes 581-10 is arranged between a plus potentialof for instance volts and zero potential 0, while the lower set ofdischarge tubes 591-10 is arranged between zero potential 0 and anegative potential of for instance 250 volts. In the cathode circuit ofeach of the discharge tubes 581-10 is a cathode resistor 58a which has arelatively iiigh value. These are shown at 58(11-10 and are used tocomplete a discharge circuit for the respective tubes 581-10. Likewisethere is in the anode circuit of each of the discharge tubes 591-10 therelatively high value resistor 59a1-10 completing the discharge circuitsfor these tubes.

Between the two rows of discharge tubes there are connected the coils391-1n forming, according to FIG. 1, coils actuating the respective keysof the keyboard adaptor or the like 36 and also relay coils operatingsuch keys indirectly to control delay arrangements as hereinbeforeexplained. Furthermore, there are interconnections between the first rowof discharge tubes 581-10 and the second row of tubes 591-10 which leadrespectively each through one of said windings of said coils 391-111 andthere a diode 621-m interconnected in each of the said connectionsbetween one discharge tube in the row 581-10 and one of the dischargetubes in the row 591-10.

The discharge tubes 581-10 may make the vertical selection according tothe vertical rows in the arrangement in FIG. l, whereas the tubes 591-10may make the horizontal selection according to said arrangement. Thereis only one switching circuit between any one of the discharge tubes581-10 and any one of discharge tubes 591-10, this going through acorresponding one of the one hundred coils 391-111. There is, forinstance, upon ignition of discharge tube 581 and tube 591, a switchingcircuit from the positive polarity terminal through the anode ofdischarge tube 581 to its cathode and from there through the diode 621to the winding 391 to the anode of discharge tube 591, and from therethrough the cathode no the negative polarity terminal. If only the tubes581 and 591 are ignited, only the coil 391 is energized.

If, instead of discharge tubes 581 and 591, the discharge tube 582 andthe discharge tube 591 are ignited, the connection would be from thepositive polarity terminal through discharge tube 582, through diode 622to coil 3911 and then to the anode of discharge tube 591, and from itscathode to the negative polarity terminal. If, instead, discharge tube583 and discharge tube 591 are ignited there would be a current from thepositive polarity terminal through the ignited discharge tube 583,through diode 623 and coil 393 to the anode of discharge tube 591 andfrom its cathode to the negative polarity terminal. It is evident,therefore, that by selecting only two of the said ten discharge tubes,one in each set, any one coil of the said one hundred coils 391-m may beselected for excitation to operate the corresponding key or tio effectwhatever other one hundred functions are represented by the assembly391-111. If the rows of discharge tubes 581-10 and 591-10 are to becontrolled by counting tubes having only low currents in their differentstages, for example if they are of the cold cathode type, then theswitches are prepared tto allow an ignition of only one of the tubes581-10 and 591-10, respectively, if the said counting tubes have alreadytaken their respective anode positions for the sensed transverse row independence on the respective holes in the different code channels of thetape.

FIG. 4 shows another arrangement for delivering pulses under control ofthe sensing elements 101-1, the pulses for the several channels in thiscase being generated in series. This arrangement may also be used forthe delivery of pulses in a device according to FIG. 5.

The generation of these pulse sequences is illustrated in FIG. 4 underthe control of rotary record element 99 (shown in FIG. 4 as adevelopment) having one signal 641 in the track 631, two signals 642 inthe track 632, four signals 644 in the track 631, eight signals 6411 intrack 638, sixteen signals 641s in track 63111, thirty two signals 64112in track 6332 and sixty four signals in track 6304. However, the signalsin each track are arranged between those in the preceding and in thesucceeding track so that, in a complete sensing of the record during onerotation, first the sixty four signals 6464 are sensed by sensing head657 and immediately afterwards the sensing by sensing head 656 of thethirty two signals 6432 in track 6332 begins, and so on, Sothat afterthe sensing of the two signals 642 by sensing head 652 the last signalto be sensed is the one signal 641 in track 631, sensed by sensing head651.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an arrangement is shown in which a pulsegenerator according to FIG. 4 is used. This arrangement includes themotor 1 which operates the stepwise drive gear 8 from shaft 2 throughmagnetic clutch 3. Further, there is a sensing device 9 with sensingelements 101-7 for sensing the holes 14 punched in tape 11. Thetransport `wheel or driving device 13 fior this tape 11 is operated fromsaid stepwise drive 8 through shaft 7. By means not shown in thedrawing, but well known in the art, the contacts 791-7 may be operatedby the sensing elements 101-7. Thus, for example the contacts 791-7 areoperated by pins entering into the holes 14 or the sensing elements101-7 may be built up as brushes for controlling relays and these relaysmay operate the contacts 791-7 The switching over of contacts 791-7 iseffected in com binations, as in FIG. l, but `there is an essentialdifference between the arrangements of FIGS. l and in this respect.There is provision for an automatic delay in both cases, but in FIG, 1the automatic delay is controlled by the machine itself whereas FIG. 5shows a special case where the delay is controlled by identity betweentwo successive combinations sensed. In the case of FIG. 5, a combinationsensed is stored in the tlip-ops 811-7, and the position or setting ofthese tlip-ops 811-7 is compared with the position of contacts 791-7after the sensing of the next following combination. The tlip-iiopsS11-7 `are built up so that if any one of these flip-flops is switchedover corresponding positive pulses are produced in output leads 801-7.The comparison between two combinations is effected in the followingmanner. Contacts 791-7 are set by the sensing elements 101-7 and themonostable Hip-flop 84 produces a positive pulse which s delivered tothe several contacts 791-7 and to the corresponding input leads 821-7 or831-7 according to the position of the contacts 791-7. Thereby ip-flopsS11-7 are switched over to positions corresponding to the com- `binationjust sensed. The positive pulse delivered from L the monostable flipop84 is also delivered through lead 85 to the grid of of the gas dischargetube 86, igniting it. The delay device 87, which was described inconnection with FIG. l as a delay device 56, is then started. The pulsefnom lead 85 is delivered to the stop lead 50, thus stopi ping thetransport of tape 11. The resistance 88 which is in parallel withcapacitor 57 is so high that the time constant of capacitor 57 andresistor 54 is not apprcciably affected.

If, after the delivery of pulses on leads 821-7 Ior 831-7 one or more ofthe flip ops 811-7 switches over, then on the respective leads 801-7positive pulses are induced which are delivered to the grid of gasdischarge tube 90 through lead 89. The tube 90 ignites and effectivelyshort circuits the gas discharge tube 86 and resistance 54, so thatcapacitor 57 is charged very quickly.

The pulse from lead 89 is delivered through diode 91 to the start lead49 to restart the transport of tape 11. The ignition of tube 90 followsso quickly upon the operation of tube 86 that there is actually nointerruption in the tape feed. From the diode 91 this pulse is alsodelivered on lead 92 to controllable gate 93 making it conductive.Controllable gate 93 is connected in the circuit path from signal heads651-7 (compare FIG. 4) to lead 94 to counting stage 27. The signal heads651-7 are connected to the respective inputs of the controlled gates961-7 by leads 951-7. The controlled gates S11-7 are controlled by theip-liops 811-7 in such a way that if the respective contact 791-7 isswitched over by a hole 14 in tape 11, then the respective controllablegate 961-7 is conductive so that pulses from the respective signal head651-7 may be delivered to the common output lead 97 of the gates 961-7.These pulses will be delivered through the conductive gate 93 to thecontrollable gate 98. At the beginning of each rotation of the signalcarrier 99, a positive pulse is delivered to the controllable gate 98 onlead 100, to make it conductive. The pulses from lead 97 may passthrough the gate 98 to output lead 94 and from there they may bedelivered to counting stage 27. The total number of pulses correspondsto the decimal value of the combination sensed from the respective rowon tape l1. The selection of one of the magnet coils 391-rn shown inFIG. l, may be effected by these pulses in a manner as described withreference to FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pulses in the various tracks on signal carrier99 are so arranged that the signal heads 651-7 operate in succession.Therefore, pulses which pass those of the gates 961-7 which at any timeare open, are delivered to the output lead 94 in successive groups,representing a totalization, or decimal value of the combination in thechain 811-7. At the end of one rotation ot` the signal carrier 99 apulse is delivered to the controllable gates 93 and 98, on lead 10],which Vmakes both these gates non-conductive so that only the pulsesinduced in the signal heads 651-7 during one rotation of the signalcarrier 99 may pass to lead 94.

If, during the sensing of the next combination the contacts 791-7 areset in the same positions as during the sensing of the previouscombination, then the delivery of pulses from the monostable Hip-dop 84to the respective input leads 821-7 or 831-7 effects no switching overof the iiip-liops 811-7 so that no pulse is induced on lead 89. In thiscase, a pulse is produced only on lead 85, which ignites tube 86 in thedescribed manner so that delay device 87 is made operative. This pulseis applied simultaneously to lead S0 to elTcct the stoppage of thetransport of tape 11.

Capacitor 57 in the delay device 87 charges through resistor 54 and gasdischarge tube 55 will eventually be ignited so that a pulse is producedin lead 103. This pulse is delivered to the start lead 49 to give asignal for the restarting of tape 11. This pulse from lead 103 isdelivered also to lead 92 and therefore allows signal carrier 99 todeliver pulses during the next rotation from signal heads 651-7 to lead94 according to the then switching position of the Hip-flops 811-7.

It will be apparent that in both conditions a stop pulse appears on theline as a result of sensing a code combination from the tape. However,as pointed out above, it is followed by a start pulse almost immediatelyit any of the flip-Hops 811-7 `is switched. The time interval betweenthe pulses is so small that the clutch 3 is unable to respond andremains in engagement. On the other hand, if none of the hip-flops 811-7is switched, the start pulse is delayed until the capacitor 57 hascharged sufiiciently through resistor 54 to ignite the tube 55. Thisdelay is sutiicient to allow the clutch 3 to be disengaged. The delaymay be adjusted by altering the setting of the switch 53.

What I claim is:

1. In an arrangement for controlling control elements of a keyboard andthe like machine by signals derived from a record carrier, incombination, first conversion means for sequentially converting recordmarks prerecorded on the record carrier and respectively repesenting avaiety of data, into signal sequences, the number of signals thereofrepresenting respectively said data', a matrix type arrangement of rowsand columns of a plurality ot control means selectively operable byapplication of control signals for controlling the control elements ofthe keyboard machine respectively associated with said data representedby said marks on said record carrier, each of said control means beingresponsive only to simultaneous application of a first signal in columndirection and a second signal in row direction; second conversion meansconnected between said lirst conversion means and said matrix typearrangement for converting each particular sequence of signals of saidfirst conversion means into said rst and second signals and for applyingsaid first and second signals to that column and that row, respectively,which determine at their intersection the particular control meansassociated with the number of signals contained in the said particularsequence of signals and thereby with the particular data represented bysuch sequence of signals; and means connected with said first conversionmeans for intercalating a predetermined period of time betweenconsecutive ones of said signal sequences whenever consecutive marks onsaid record carrier represent the same data and would therefore entailconsecutively repeated actuation of the corresponding control means insaid matrix arrangement.

2. Signal operated control means for the control elements of keyboardand the like machines, comprising, in combination, record carrier meanscarrying a sequence of marks spaced from each other respectivelyrepresenting a variety of data; sensing means for sensing said markssequentially and for closing a circuit whenever one of said marks issensed; moving means for stepwise moving said record carrier meansrelatively to said sensing means for sequentially positioning saidspaced marks, respectively, after each step, in sensing positionopposite said sensing means; pulse generator means for sequentiallygenerating, in operational cycles each coinciding with the positioningof a mark in sensing position, groups of pulses, said groups of pulsesof each cycle differing by the number of pulses therein, the diterentnumbers of pulses of said groups thereof being respectively associatedwith the data respectively represented by said different marks; a matrixtype arrangement of rows and columns of a plurality of control meansselectively operable by application of control pulses, each of saidcontrol means being responsive only to simultaneous application of afirst pulse in column direction and a second pulse in row direction, forcontrolling the control elements of the keyboard machine respectivelyassociated with said data represented by said marks on said recordcarrier means; circuit means connecting said pulse generator means viasaid sensing means with said control means in said matrix arrangement,and including counter means for counting the number of pulsestransmitted from said pulse generator means during each operationalcycle via said sensing means depending upon the particular marks sensedduring such cycle, and for applying said tirst and second pulses to aparticular one of said control means associated with the particular datarepresented by the marks sensed during said cycle and by the number ofsaid pulses transmitted and counted; and delay means connected betweensaid sensing means and said moving means for intercalating apredetermined period of time between consecutive steps of movement ofsaid record carrier `means whenever consecutive marks on said recordcarrier means represent the same data and would therefore entailconsecutively repeated actuation of the corresponding control means insaid matrix arrangement.

3. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard or the like machine, in combination, pulsegenerator means for sequentially generating, in operational cycles`groups of pulses, said groups of pulses of each cycle differing by thenumber of pulses therein, the different numbers of pulses of said groupsthereof being respectively representative of data to be reproduced byactuation of said control elements; a matrix type arrangement of rowsand columns of a plurality of control means, selectively operable byapplication of control pulses, for controlling the control elements ofthe keyboard machine respectively associated with said data, each ofsaid control means being responsive only to simultaneous application ofa first pulse in column direction and a second pulse in row direction;conversion means connected between said pulse generating means and saidmatrix type arrangement for converting each particular sequence of saidgroups of pulses of said pulse generator means into said first andsecond pulses and for applying said first and second pulses to thatcolumn and to that row, respectively, which determine at their`intersection the particular control means associated with the number of`pulses contained in the particular sequence of pulses and thereforewith the particular data represented by such sequence of pulses; anddelay means connected with said pulse generator means for intercalatinga predetermined period of time between consecutive ones of said groupsof pulses whenever consecutive representations represent the same dataand would therefore entail consecutively repeated actuation of thecorresponding control means in said matrix arrangement.

4, A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of said control meanscomprises solenoid means having a first and a second winding. said firstwinding being connected with said conversion means for receiving saidrst pulses, said second Winding being connected to said conversion meansfor receiving said second pulses, said first and second windings beingso dimensioned that only upon simultaneous application of said rst andsecond pulses to a particular one of said solenoid means the latter isrendered operative.

S. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard or the like machine, in combination, recordcarrier means carrying a sequence of marks spaced from each otherrespectively representing a variety of data; sensing means for sensing usaid marks sequentially and for closing a circuit whenever one of saidmarks is sensed; moving means for stepwise moving said record carriermeans relatively to said sensing means for sequentially positioning saidspaced marks. respectively, after each step, in sensing positionopposite said sensing means coupled to said moving means; feed controlmeans for stopping and starting the stepwise movement of said recordcarrier means; delay mcans connected with said sensing means and withsaid feed control means for causing the latter to stop said movement andrestart the same after a predetermined period of time between sensing ofconsecutive marks of said record carrier means whenever consecutivemarks on said record carrier means represent the same data.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said delay means comprisesmeans adapted to distinguish between data sensed by said sensing meansfrom consecutive marks on said record carrier means and for storing thedata sensed from the second one of said consecutive marks whenever datarepresented by the rst and second ones of said consecutive marks isidentical, said delay means further comprising means for controllingsaid feed control means to control the stepwise movement of said recordcarrier means in one manner upon non-identity between said datarepresented by consecutive marks and for controlling the stepwisemovement of said record carrier means in another manner upon identitybetween said last-mentioned data.

7. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard, line composing and the like machine, incombination, record carrier means for producing a plurality of signalsin accordance with a predetermined code recorded in said record carriermeans, said code representing data to be reproduced by said controlelements; a matrix type arrangement compising a plurality of solenoidelements each including a winding having at least two terminals, a firstgroup of conductors, each of said first group of conductors beingconnected to one terminal of the terminals of each of said plurality ofsolenoid elements, a second group of conductors, cach of said secondgroup of conductors being connected to another terminal of the terminalsof each of said solenoid elements; a first group of driving means, eachdriving means of said rst group of driving means being connected to anend of each conductor of said first group of conductors; a second groupof driving means, each driving means of said second group of drivingmeans being connected to an end of each conductor of said second groupof conductors, said first and second groups of driving means beingadapted to energize selected ones of said solenoid elements through theconductors of said first and second groups of conductors, each of saidsolenoid elements which is energized having its terminals respectivelyenergized by a conductor of each of said first and second groups ofconductors; transfer means for transferring the signals produced by saidrecord carrier means to each of said first and second groups of drivingmeans thereby to set the said first and second groups of driving meansunder the influence of the coded data recorded in said record carriermeans so that said control elements are energized in accordance with thecode combination recorded on said record carrier means; moving means forstepwiscly moving said record carrier means; and delay means coupled tosaid moving means for intercalating a predetermined period of timebetween consecutive steps of movement of said record carrier means.

8. ln a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard, line composing and the like machine, incombination, record carrier means for producing a plurality of signalsin accordance with a predetermined code recorded in said record carriermeans, said code representing data to be reproduced by said controlelements; sensing means for sequentially sensing coded data items insaid record carrier means; moving means for stepwisely moving saidrecord carrier means relatively to said sensing `means for sequentiallypositioning said recorded coded data items; a matrix type arrangementcomprising a plurality of solenoid elements each including a windinghaving at least two terminals, a first group of conductors, each of saidfirst group of conductors being connected to one terminal of theterminals of each of said plurality of solenoid elements, a second groupof conductors, each of said second group of conductors being connectedto another terminal of the terminals of each of said solenoid elements',a first group of driving means, each driving means of said first groupof driving means being connected to an end of each conductor of saidfirst group of conductors; a second group of driving means, each drivingmeans of said second group of driving means being connected to an end ofeach conductor of said second group of conductors, said first and secondgroups of driving means being adapted to energize selected ones of saidsolenoid elements through the conductors of said first and second groupsof conductors, each of said solenoid elements which is energized havingits terminals respectively energized by a conductor of each of saidfirst and second groups of conductors; transfer means for transferringthe signals produced by said record carrier means to each of said firstand second groups of driving means thereby to set the said first andsecond groups of driving means under the infiuence of the coded datarecorded in said record carrier means so that said control elements areenergized in accordance with the code combination recorded on saidrecord carrier means; and delay means coupled to said moving means forintercalating a predetermined period of time between consecutive stepsof movement of said record carrier means.

9. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard, line composing and the like machine, incombination, record carrier means for producing a plurality of signalsin accordance with a predetermined code recorded in said record carriermeans, said code representing data to be reproduced by said controlelements; sensing means for sequentially sensing coded data items insaid record carrier means;

moving means for stepwisely moving said record carrier means relativelyto said sensing means for sequentially positioning said recorded codeddata items', moving control means coupled to said moving means forcontrolling the operation of said moving means; a matrix typearrangement comprising a plurality of solenoid elements each including awinding having at least two terminals, a first group of conductors, eachof said first group of conductors being connected to one terminal of theterminals of each of said plurality of solenoid elements, a second groupof conductors, each of said second group of conductors being connectedto another terminal of the terminals of each of said solenoid elements;a first group of driving means, each driving means of said first groupof driving means being connected to an end of each conductor of saidfirst group of conductors; a second group of driving means, each drivingmeans of said second group of driving means being connected to an end ofeach conductor of said second group of conductors, said first and secondgroups of driving means being adapted to energize selected ones of saidsolenoid elements through the conductors of said first and second groupsof conductors, each of said solenoid elements which is is energizedhaving its terminals respectively energized by a conductor of each ofsaid first and second groups of conductors; transfer means fortransferring the signals produced by said record carrier means to eachof said first and second groups of driving means thereby to set the saidfirst and second groups of driving means under the infiuence of thecoded data recorded in said record carrier means so that said controlelements are energized in accordance with the code combination recordedon said record carrier means; delay means coupled to said moving controlmeans for intercalating a selected period of time between consecutivesteps of said record carrier means; and delay control means coupledbetween said sensing means and said delay means for intercalating aselected period of time between consecutive steps of said record carriermeans.

10. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard, line composing and the like machine, incombination, record carrier means for producing a plurality of signalsin accordance with a predetermined code recorded in said record carriermeans, said code representing data to be reproduced by said controlelements; sensing means for sequentially sensing coded data items insaid record carrier means; moving means for stepwisely moving saidrecord carrier means relatively to said sensing means for sequentiallypositioning said recorded coded data items; moving control means coupledto said moving means `for controlling the operation of said movingmeans; a matrix type arrangement comprising a plurality of solenoidelements each including a winding having at least two terminals, a firstgroup of conductors, each of said first group of conductors beingconnected to one terminal of the terminals of each of said plurality ofsolenoid elements, a second group of conductors, each of said secondgroup of conductors being connected to another terminal of the terminalsof each of said solenoid elements; a first group of driving means, eachdriving means of said first group of driving means being connected to anend of each conductor of said first group of conductors; a second groupof driving means, each driving means of said second group of drivingmeans being connected to an end of each conductor of said second groupof conductors, said first and second groups of driving means beingadapted to energize selected ones of said solenoid elements through theconductors of said first and second groups of conductors, each of saidsolenoid elements which is energized having its terminals respectivelyenergized by a conductor of each of said first and second groups ofconductors; transfer means for transferring the signals produced by saidrecord carrier means to each `of said first and second groups of drivingmeans thereby to set the said first and second groups of driving meansunder the influence of the coded data recorded in said record carriermeans so that said control elements are energized in accordance with thecode combination recorded on said record carrier means; delay meanscoupled to said moving control means for intercalating a selected periodof time between consecutive steps of said record carrier means; anddelay control means coupled between said sensing means and said delaymeans for intercalating a selected period of time between consecutivesteps of said record carrier means, said delay control means comprisingmeans for terminating the period of delay time of said delay means uponthe sensing of non-identical consecutive coded data items by saidsensing means and for extending the period of delay time of said delaymeans upon the sensing of identical consecutive coded data items by saidsensing means.

l1. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard, line composing and the like machine, incombination, record carrier means for producing a plurality of signalsin accordance with a predetermined code recorded in said record carriermeans, said code representing data to be reproduced by said controlelements, said code comprising coded data units each comprising at leastone mark in different code positions; sensing means for sequentiallysensing coded data items in said record carrier means; moving means forstepwisely moving said record carrier means relatively to said sensingmeans for sequentially positioning said recorded coded data items;moving control means coupled to said moving means for controlling theoperation of said moving means, a matrix type arrangement comprising aplurality of solenoid elements each including a winding having at leasttwo terminals, a first group of conductors, each of said rst group ofconductors being connected to one terminal of the terminals of each ofsaid plurality of solenoid elements, a second group of conductors, eachof said second group of conductors being connected to another terminalof the terminals of each of said solenoid elements; a first group ofdriving means, each driving means of said first group of driving meansbeing connected to an end of each conductor of said tirst group ofconductors; a second group of driving means, each driving means of saidsecond group of driving means being connected to an end of eachconductor of said second group of conductors, said lirst and secondgroups of driving means being adapted to energize selected ones of saidsolenoid elements through the conductors of said first and second groupsof conductors, each of said solenoid elements which is energized havingits terminals respectively energized by a conductor of each of saidfirst and second groups of conductors; transfer means for transferringthe signals produced by said record carrier means to each of said tirstand second groups of driving means thereby to set the said first andsecond groups of driving means under the infiuence of the coded datarecorded in said record carrier means so that said control elements areenergized in accordance with the code combination recorded on saidrecord carrier means; delay means coupled to said moving control meansfor intercalating a selected period of time between consecutive steps ofsaid record carrier means; a plurality of bistable circuit means eachhaving at least one output and each corresponding to a different codeposition of each coded data unit of said predetermined code; couplingmeans coupling said sensing means to said bistable circuit means in amanner whereby selected ones of said bistable circuit mean correspondingto the code positions of the coded data item sensed by said sensingmeans are switched in stable state in correspondence with the coded dataitem sensed by said sensing means thereby producing an output pulse insaid output, said coupling means including pulse supply means coupled tosaid bistable circuit means and said delay means for supplying a pulseto said selected ones of said bistable circuit means and for supplyingthe pulse provided by said pulse supply means to said delay means forinitiating the period of delay time; and control means coupling theoutputs of said bistable circuit means to said delay means forintercalating a selected period of time between consecutive steps ofsaid record carrier means, said control means supplying the output pulseproduced by said bistable circuit means to said delay means forterminating the period of delay time.

12. In a signal operated control device for controlling the controlelements of a keyboard, line composing and the like machine, incombination, record carrier means for producing a plurality of signalsin accordance with a predetermined code recorded in said record carriermeans, said code representing data to be reproduced by said controlelements, said code comprising coded data units each comprising at leastone mark in different code positions; sensing means for sequentiallysensing coded data items in said record carrier means; moving means forstepwisely moving said record carrier means relatively to said sensingmeans for sequentially positioning said recorded coded data items;moving control means coupled to said moving means for controlling theoperation of said moving means; a matrix type arrangement cornprising aplurality of solenoid elements each including a winding having at leasttwo terminals, a first group of conductors, each of said first group ofconductors being connected to one terminal of the terminals of each ofsaid plurality of solenoid elements, a second group of conductors, eachof said second group of conductors being connected to another terminalof the terminals of each of said solenoid elements; a first group ofdriving means, each driving means of said first group of driving meansbeing connected to an end of each conductor of said first group ofconductors; a second group of driving means, each driving means of saidsecond group of driving means being connected to an end of eachconductor of said second group of conductors, said first and secondgroup of driving means being adapted to energize selected ones of saidsolenoid elements through the conductors of said rst and second groupsof conductors, each of said solenoid elements which is energized havingits terminals respectively energized by a conductor of each of saidfirst and second groups of conductors; transfer means for transferringthe signals produced by said record carrier means to each of said firstand second groups of driving means thereby to set the said first andsecond groups of driving means under the influence of the coded datarecorded in said record carrier means so that said control elements areenergized in accordance with the code combination recorded on saidrecord carrier means; delay means coupled to said moving control meansfor intercalating a selected period of time between consecutive steps ofsaid record carrier means; a plurality of bistable circuit means eachhaving two outputs and being adapted to produce an output pulse at atirst of said outputs each time a coded data item is sensed and beingadapted to produce an output pulse at a second of said outputs each timethe stable state of the said bistable circuit means is switched and eachcorresponding to a different code position of each coded data unit ofsaid predetermined code; coupling means coupling said sensing means tosaid bistable circuit means in a manner whereby selected ones of saidbistable circuit means corresponding to the code positions of the codeddata item sensed by said sensing means are switched in stable state incorrespondence with the coded data item sensed by said sensing meansthereby producing an output pulse in said first output thereof, saidcoupling means including pulse supply means coupled to said bistablecircuit means and said delay means for supplying a pulse to saidselected ones of said bistable circuit means and for supplying saidpulse provided by said pulse supply means to said delay means forinitiating the period of delay time; control means coupling said secondoutputs of said bistable circuit means to said delay means forintercalating a selected period of time between consecutive steps ofsaid record carrier means, said control means supplying the output pulseproduced by said bistable circuit means in said second outputs thereofto said delay means for terminating the period of delay time; aplurality of gate means each having a first input connected to the rstoutput of a corresponding one of said bistable circuit means, a secondinput and an output coupled to said driving means, each of said gatemeans being adapted to conduct a signal supplied to said second inputupon simultaneous receipt of signals at both the rst and second inputsthereof; pulse generating means for producing a plurality of groups ofpulses, each group of pulses comprising a number of pulses correspondingto a different code position of each coded data unit; means forsupplying a different group of said groups of pulses to the second inputof each corresponding one of said gate means, each of said plurality ofgate means, bistable circuit means, sensing means and groups of pulsesbeing of equal number and in correspondence with each other and with thecode mark positions of each coded data unit so that selected ones ofsaid gate means corresponding to said selected ones of said bistablecircuit means are conductive and 16 transmit a number of pulsescorresponding to said coded data item sensed by said sensing means fromsaid pulse generating means via the output means of said selected galemeans to said driving means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCESProceedings of the Eastern Joint Computer Conference, pages 22-23, Dec.8-10, 1954.

MALCOLM A. MORRISON, Primary Examiner.

EVERETT R, REYNOLDS, IRVING L. SRAGOW,

Examiners.

1. IN AN ARRANGEMENT FOR CONTROLLING CONTROL ELEMENTS OF A KEYBOARD ANDTHE LIKE MACHINE BY SIGNALS DERIVED FROM A RECORD CARRIER, INCOMBINATION, FIRST CONVERSION MEANS FOR SEQUENTIALLY CONVERTING RECORDMARKS PRERECORDED ON THE RECORD CARRIER AND RESPECTIVELY REPRESENTING AVARIETY OF DATA, INTO SIGNAL SEQUENCES, THE NUMBER OF SIGNALS THEREOFREPRESENTING RESPECTIVELY SAID DATA; A MATRIX TYPE ARRANGEMENT OF ROWSAND COLUMNS OF A PLURALITY OF CONTROL MEANS SELECTIVELY OPERABLE BYAPPLICATION OF CONTROL SIGNALS FOR CONTROLLING THE CONTROL ELEMENTS OFTHE KEYBOARD MACHINE RESPECTIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DATA REPRESENTEDBY SAID MARKS ON SAID RECORD CARRIER, EACH OF SAID CONTROL MEANS BEINGRESPONSIVE ONLY TO SIMULTANEOUS APPLICATION OF A FIRST SIGNAL IN COLUMNDIRECTION AND A SECOND SIGNAL IN ROW DIRECTION; SECOND CONVERSION MEANSCONNECTED BETWEEN SAID FIRST CONVERSION MEANS AND SAID MATRIX TYPEARRANGEMENT FOR CONVERGINT EACH PARTICULAR SEQUENCE OF SIGNALS OF SAIDFIRS CONVERSION MEANS INTOSAID FIRST AND SECOND SIGNALS AND FOR APPLYINGSAID FIRST AND SECOND SIGNALS TO THAT COLUMN AND THAT ROW, RESPECTIVELY,WHICH DETERMINE AT THEIR INTERSETION THE PARTICULAR CONTROL MEANSASSOCIATED WITH THE NUMBER OF SIGNALS CONTAINED IN THE SAID PARTICULARSEQUENCE OF SIGNALS AND THEREBY WITH THE PARTICULAR DATA REPRESENTED BYSUCH SEQUENCE OF SIGNALS; AND MEANS CONNECTED WITH SAID FIRST CONVERSIONMEANS FOR INTERCALATING A PREDETERMINED PERIOD OF TIME BETWEENCONSECUTIVE ONES OF SAID SIGNAL SEQUENCE WHENEVER CONSECUTIVE MARKS ONSAID RECORD CARRIER REPRESENT THE SAME DATA AND WOULD THEREFORE ENTAILCONSECUTIVELY REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE CORRESPONDING CONTROL MEANS INSAID MATRIX ARRANGEMENT.